Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 20:17:18 -0700
From: "Patrick O'Rourke" <po'rourke@Hoffman.com>
To: po'rourke@Hoffman.com
Subject: HP announces 24x7 worldwide Linux support services

HP DELIVERS 24X7 WORLDWIDE SUPPORT FOR LINUX SYSTEMS AND APPLICATIONS

Support Includes Two-hour Response-time Commitment on Multivendor Platforms


PALO ALTO, Calif., April 20, 1999 -- Hewlett-Packard Company today
announced the availability of HP Linux support services, which provide
customers with around-the-clock, worldwide support of Linux and HP Linux
applications.  HP's new support services include a maximum two-hour
response-time commitment, and immediate response for critical calls, on
multivendor Intel-based platforms.  HP is mobilizing on all fronts to meet
the anticipated strong demand for Linux systems, software and services.

"Customers within many markets, such as communications and e-commerce,
depend on Linux to host business applications," said Mike Rigodanzo,
general manager of HP's Software Services Division.  "The major challenge
for Linux in terms of mainstream acceptance is that enterprises want to
deal with technologies from suppliers they can depend on for predictable
levels of service and support.  That's where HP comes in -- we're providing
complete support, including 24x7, phone-in and electronic support worldwide
for Linux."

HP Linux support services are provided to HP's business partners and
customers via HP's Electronic Support Center and HP Response Centers.  This
support model provides customers the flexibility of the following
support-service features:

	· unlimited, toll-free, phone-in software assistance with two-hour
	response-time commitment and immediate response for critical calls;

	· electronic software call submittal with a choice of response time
	frames;

	· remote software support by highly trained HP support engineers;

	· 24x7 electronic access, via HP's Electronic Support Center, to a
	database of current product and support information from a variety
	of vendors; and

	· Linux training for system administrators, such as Linux
	Installation Configuration and Administration class, available in
	HP's Education Centers worldwide or at customer sites.

HP's offering will support major Linux releases from companies such as Red
Hat Software, Caldera Systems, Pacific HiTech and SuSE Holding AG, running
on servers from HP and other vendors.  HP has extended its support to HP
applications that run on Linux, such as HP Firehunter.  HP support also
will be extended to cover future platforms based on the IA-64 architecture,
additional HP and third-party Linux applications, Apache Web Server, and HP
outsourcing services for Linux environments.

"SAP's initiative to deliver the leading enterprise application SAP R/3 on
Linux has been well received by our customers," said Thomas Klein,
director, corporate alliance at SAP AG.  "HP's full support program for
Linux ensures that our customers who select HP servers enjoy
enterprise-level support and reliability for R/3 on Linux."

According to IDC Research, Linux is the fastest-growing server operating
environment.  In 1998, some 690,000 Linux operating environments were
shipped, reflecting a 190 percent growth rate and 17 percent of all new
server operating environments.  HP is a sponsoring corporate member of
Linux International, a non-profit organization consisting of industry
influencers dedicated to the continuous open-source development of Linux.


More information about today's announcement can be found on the World Wide
Web at http://www.hp.com/go/support.


About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and
imaging solutions and services for business and home -- is focused on
capitalizing on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of
electronic services.  HP had computer-related revenue of $39.5 billion in
its 1998 fiscal year.

HP plans to launch a new and independent measurement company consisting of
its industry-leading test-and-measurement, components, chemical-analysis
and medical businesses.  These businesses represented $7.6 billion of HP's
total revenue in fiscal 1998.  With leading positions in multiple market
segments, this technology-based company will focus on high-growth
opportunities such as communications and life sciences.

HP has 122,800 employees worldwide and had total revenue of $47.1 billion
in its 1998 fiscal year.  Information about HP, its products and the
company's Year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide Web at
http://www.hp.com.  # # #

Please contact me for interviews or more information.

Patrick O'Rourke
The Hoffman Agency
10 S. Third Street, San Jose, CA  95113
Tel: 408-975-3060;  Fax: 408-286-0133
HP Telnet:  691-5820
po'rourke@hoffman.com


Patrick O'Rourke
The Hoffman Agency
10 S. Third Street, San Jose, CA  95113
Tel: 408-975-3060;  Fax: 408-286-0133
HP Telnet:  691-5820
po'rourke@hoffman.com